A shocking arrest has been made after a young Pit Pit Bull named Cranberry was found stuffed inside a garbage bag, emaciated and covered in a black sheet in a Philadelphia park.
An 11-year veteran of the Philadelphia police force faces animal cruelty charges after prosecutors said he attempted to throw Cranberry away.
Cranberry was rescued in November 2016 by a woman who was walking her dog, when her dog ran over to a garbage bag under a bridge. The woman went to investigate and saw Cranberry’s face peeking out from the bag. Cranberry was too weak to stand and she was covered in her own urine. The Good Samaritan immediately called the Pennsylvania SPCA.
Pennsylvania SPCA
The dog’s microchip ID revealed that she belonged to Philadelphia police officer Michael Long. Law enforcement said they found that Long had a sheet that matched the one wrapped around Cranberry.
Authorities arrested Long on March 23, 2017 and he has been suspended from the police department, which also has plans to dismiss him, according to NBC Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania SPCA
“This arrest today is the culmination of an investigation conducted by our officers and the Philadelphia Police Internal Affairs Unit,” said Nicole Wilson Director of Humane Law Enforcement with Pennsylvania SPCA in a statement. “We look forward to the opportunity to see justice through the courts in this matter.”
As for Cranberry, she spent some time at the humane society before finding a loving home.
Pennsylvania SPCA
“I spent a lot of time with her while she was recovering in our shelter,” Gillian Kocher of the Pennsylvania SPCA told The Huffington Post. “From the moment Cranberry arrived, she was just the sweetest thing you could imagine. Even in her weakened state, she would wag her tail when she saw you coming and when she was strong enough would curl herself into your lap.”
Cranberry has now fully recovered and was adopted by a man who saw her story on the news a month after she was rescued.
“She has a wonderful life now and we couldn’t be more happy about that,” said Kocher about Cranberry.
And from the looks of it, Cranberry is being spoiled rotten and is loving life!
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